Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2020 i Ideal Home

Come on in to our October issue, where the mood is mellow and the cosiness is real! We often focus on the functional – creating a home that runs smoothly to facilitate busy lives – but this issue is more about feeling really at home… at home. It’s full of ideas to help make yours a true retreat – even if it’s only when you’re closeted in your home office or finally getting time to soak in the bath. Looking ahead, the super-organised among you might like to know that tickets to our sister title’s annual event – Country Homes & Interiors Christmas at Stonor Park (26-29 November) – are now on sale. Go to ichfevents.co.uk/ countryhomeschristmas or call 01425 277988 and use code EV287 to save £2. And finally… we…

Contrast vintage and modern The simplicity of this slim concrete-and-metal console allows the roughness of old picture frames to stand out. FORAGED DISPLAY Dried stems add natural drama without strong colours Indulge in texture Linens, velvets and wools are just the start for upholstery and soft furnishings – take it to another dimension with embroidery, tufting and tassels. MID-WEIGHT NEUTRAL Everything else in the room should be darker or lighter Glorify the grain The beauty of natural wood finishes, whether smooth and polished or rough and rustic, replace colour and pattern in this look. ARTISANAL ELEMENTS Anything handmade and authentic will fit Stick to simple shapes Pared-back, contemporary furniture will give any space strong bones and can offer years of versatile service. Add interest with curated accessories. BLURRED ABSTRACT Avoid…

Take a quick tour... Anna Chisholm, a business owner, lives here with sons Charlie, 13, and Sam, 10. THE PROPERTY A five-bedroom extended 1920s bungalow in Melbourne, Australia. THE VALUE Bought for approximately £820,000 in 2008; now worth around £1 million. “This move has made me much more daring with colour and décor. I’d never have gone for a pink front door before, but now I think it’s the prettiest house on the street” Anna Chisholm had drawn a blank as she searched her local area in Melbourne, Australia for the perfect family home. But, after widening the net, she finally struck lucky. ‘I found a timber-clad 1920s bungalow that had been newly refurbished, and had a big, modern extension,’ she says. ‘Inside, it was just white, so although there…

Designers and stylists share their views ‘Add areas of black and white for a sophisticated and crisp look,’ suggests Judy Smith, consultant at Crown. ‘For a more unusual combination, try a flash of dusky pink or vivid turquoise. This could go on something as simple as a single chair or oversized vase.’ ‘Start in the bedroom, where olive green can help to create a serene environment,’ says Charlotte Cosby, head of creative at Farrow & Ball. ‘lt’s also suited to rooms that overlook nature. The colours from the great outdoors will further enhance the green tones of the walls and create a relaxing outdoor feel in your home.’ ‘Olive green is a predominantly yellow shade of green, with a little black and a hint of green to it,’ says Nelly…

Living room ‘I’ve worked to create a cosy atmosphere by using long curtains, a comfortable sofa filled with cushions, classic lighting and large-scale artwork. All these elements add tactility and life.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Cocoon sofa, from £8,578, Eilersen, is similar. PK62 coffee table by Fritz Hansen, £1,746, Skandium Living room The large bureau belonged to Henrietta’s in-laws and provides plenty of storage in the living room. Its dark-wood finish contrasts with the pale stone colour of the painted walls and the light wood floor. BUY THE KEY PIECES Bestlite BL1 table lamp, £551.50, Made in Design. Alesso black floor vase, £144, Monocrhome, is similar. Douglas plank floorboards, £55.55 sq m, Dinesen “Furnishing is a process that takes time, but if you follow it through, your home will be…

The right flooring can make – or break – a room scheme, and there are certainly some bold choices out there when it comes to carpet and rugs. But it’s not just about colour and pattern, as our three experts – an interior stylist, an interior designer and design director – share… DO YOU USE CARPET PROFESSIONALLY, OR HAS IT HAD ITS DAY? ‘Never!’ says interior stylist and set designer Diana Civil. ‘It’s an extremely versatile part of a decorating scheme. It also looks and feels wonderfully tactile. Patterned carpet is set for a massive revival. After the gloom and doom of 2020, maximalism continues – it’s all about self-expression. You can imagine how much neutral carpet I’ve used on shoots over the years, but I get so excited to…

We’re in love! CLASSIC COOL Move over globe pendants, the conical light is jostling for position above our kitchen islands and tables. These new pendant lights by deVOL are handmade with earthenware clay and hand-painted a glossy cream, so no two pieces look the same. Perfect for that touch-of-vintage feel. High colour Terrazzo is cranking up its lust factor this autumn, thanks to the bold colour options in Balineum’s new Siren tile collection. Handcrafted in Italy, there are six saturated pigments in three square sizes to choose from – 10cm, 20cm or 60cm. Stick to a single palette or mix them for extra sass. Siren tiles, from £3.08 each, Balineum HOT STUFF A radiator is not the sexiest part of a bathroom remodel, or so we thought, until we saw…

LOW STRESS Scratch-resistant laminate. Birch plywood with oak veneer and Fenix NTM laminate, around £24,000, Uncommon Projects FRIEND OF THE EARTH Made from fast-growing bamboo. Bamboo and birch plywood with Little Greene’s Juniper Ash lacquer, around £22,000, Buhr BRIGHT AND SASSY Zesty orange brings cheer. Birch plywood with Levante laminate by Formica and Douglas Fir plywood, from £13,000, Koivu…

DOUBLE UP Bathing tots will be a breeze in this double-ended family-friendly tub. Verona Black free-standing modern bath, £599.95, Victorian Plumbing SHAMPOO SHELF A flat rim is great for keeping your toiletries to hand. Yang luxury free-standing bath, £399.97, Bathroom Takeaway VIBRANT HUE This sunny yellow paint finish will start your day with a smile. Artist Collection Honey Yellow cast iron bath, £1,899, Victoria Plum HAPPY FEET Choose from four different feet shades to suit your scheme. Milano Legend double-ended slipper bath, £474.99, Big Bathroom Shop “Take time to visit a showroom to dry-test your bath for comfort. It will help you get a feel for the different materials and styles, too”JOHN WILSON, BATHSTORE HIGH BACK Ergonomically shaped to hug the spine for extra comfort. Aurea slipper bath, £1,600, Fired…

Architect Paul Turner gives us the lowdown 1 THEY GIVE UNOBSTRUCTED VIEWS They can give views out of 90% of the aperture. 2 THEY PROVIDE GREAT ACCESS When open, they allow plenty of light and air into the house, blurring the boundary between indoors and out. 3 THEY’RE VERSATILE Configurations are virtually limitless. They slide, hinge, pivot, bifold, fold-and-slide, depending on the impact on the space. 4 THEY CAN CONNECT DIFFERENT SPACES They allow the space to be used in a variety of ways. In this house, when the windows are open you can sit on the window seat both inside and outside. 5 THEY ALLOW FOR CLEVER DESIGN How the space will be used immediately inside and outside the windows will inform the decision about their direction and configuration.…

Smart machine LG AI DD F4V909BTS in Black Steel £719.99, Currys PC World With 9kg capacity and A+++ energy rating, the AI in its name stands for ‘artificial intelligence’ as this Wi-Fienabled machine detects the weight and softness of the fabrics in the drum and chooses the best wash setting. THE BEST BIT As it’s ‘smart’, you can stop, start or pause your wash via the smartphone app or voice control it via Alexa or Google Assistant. Huge capacity Hoover H-WASH 500 HW 414AMC/1-80 £519, Argos Wi-Fi connected, this A+++ model has a bunch of smart features – upload a photo of your laundry plonked in front of the machine and the app suggests the best programme. It’ll even check the weather to recommend the best time to run a…

Contemporary artist Jeff Muhs is known for his innovative, abstract style. From his hand-built studio in Southampton, New York, he works primarily with oil on canvas, but also experiments with concrete for his sculptures. I TAKE ARTISTIC INSPIRATION FROM MY SURROUNDINGS. I grew up in the Hamptons, known for its beauty. My father was a hunting and fishing guide, so I was out on the water with him as a young child from sunrise to sunset. I’ve always been passionate about drawing and painting, so it seemed natural for me to study at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan, where I learned the traditional techniques of oil painting. SOME PEOPLE SAY MY PAINTINGS LOOK LIKE STONE OR MARBLE. To me, each piece is a landscape painting, nature’s beauty distilled…

A  Abigail Ahern 020 7354 8181 abigailahern.com Abode Living 01273 621116 abodeliving.co.uk Abstract House abstracthouse.com Adventures in Furniture 0845 164 9062 aif.london Alternative Bathrooms 020 3375 9009 alternativebathrooms.com Amara 0800 587 7645 amara.com amazon.co.uk amazon.co.uk Anglepoise 02392 224450 anglepoise.com Anthropologie 0800 0026 8476 anthropologie.com Antonio Lupi antoniolupi.it/en AO.com 0344 324 9222 ao.com Appliance City 0115 965 1937 appliancecity.co.uk Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk Artisanti 0345 259 1410 artisanti.com Artspace artspace.com Atkin and Thyme 020 3768 7775 atkinandthyme.co.uk B  B&B Italia 020 7591 8111 london.bebitalia.com B&Q 0333 014 3098 diy.com Balineum 020 7431 9364 balineum.co.uk Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk Bathroom Mountain 01782 405047 bathroommountain.co.uk Bathroom Takeaway 0333 305 8200 bathroomtakeaway.co.uk Big Bathroom Shop 0345 122 7569 bigbathroomshop.co.uk Blinds 2go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk Bloomingville 0045 9626 4645 bloomingville.com Boffi…

PAINT WALLS A WARM TONE Using a palette of one colour works well in a small space as nothing jars, creating a calm feel. Start with the sofa, then choose a paler shade for the walls. Build up the colour story with complementary cushions, introducing subtle pattern. SCREEN OFF YOUR TELEVISION Turn your TV into wall art with this DIY screen. These A4 black picture frames have been hinged together to create two doors, which are attached to a frame. The nature-themed prints are in just two colours, so it has a calm, cohesive feel. HANG WRAPAROUND CURTAINS At one time, curtain poles for bay windows had to be bespoke, but now there is a whole range of affordable solutions – from bendable tracks to adjustable corner joints. You’ll find…

The perfect match SCION LIVING AND NEXT HOME Scion is responsible for some of our favourite Scandi-meetsretro fabric and wallpaper designs, not to mention the fabulous Mr Fox. It’s teamed up with Next Home for an exclusive collaboration, bringing its pattern expertise to ready-made curtains and blinds, statement cushions, rugs, lighting and artwork. LOVELY SMELLS FROM LOAF Pencil Sharpenings, Country Boozer and Laundry Days… just the names are enough to conjure up the fragrances of Loaf’s first collection of scented candles. The lidded, colour-dipped vessel can go on to have a new life as a pencil pot or bits-and-bobs jar once the 35-hour burn time is done. Our fave for autumn is Country Boozer, which smells of orange peel, pine amber and wood smoke, £40. We keep seeing… Long-lasting blooms…

Dramatic fade Wash curtains and leave damp. Prepare a hand-dye as instructed in a plastic tub. Hang the curtain over a rail and mark with safety pins where the ombre layers will sit. Dip the curtain into the dye up to the top level, leave for a few seconds and make sure the line is even. Then lift out at 10-minute intervals. Soak the bottom layer for 20 minutes. Rinse until water runs clear. DURING THE DYE PROCESS, use a water spray bottle to even out harsh lines between colour levels…

IDEAL COLOUR CONTRAST Nora cushion, £75, Habitat CUSTOM SHADE Cricketers beech bar stool in Citron, £195, Farmhouse Table Company HAND BLOWN GLASS Medium globe pendant, £595, Original BTC NEUTRAL FOIL Decorative round jute rug, £145, Design Vintage PASTEL POP Eldrich tray table, £169.99, Wayfair FOCAL POINT A Million Mile s canvas, £375, Loaf GREAT DEAL SHAGPILE PLUSH Lotus cushion, £42, Swoon STRIKING SIMPLICITY Dulwich pendant light, £80, Garden Trading VIBRANT SPLASH Ernest bar stool in Yellow, £94.99, Homescapes SPUN CENTREPIECE Zarla Jute rug, £62, The Rug Seller NEXT LEVEL Jax large side table, £65, John Lewis & Partners CREATIVE DESIGN Outsiders print, £35, Laurie Maun at Our Daily Edit…

BEST FOR MIXING WITH NATURAL STONE Sunday Stroll Claypaint, £45 for 2.5ltr, Earthborn BEST FOR NATURAL LIGHT Gentle Olive matt emulsion, £18 for 2.5ltr, Crown BEST FOR A SMART LOOK Pressed Olives premium blend v700 walls and ceilings, £29 for 2.5ltr, Valspar at B&Q BEST FOR PAIRING WITH CREAMS Light Olive chalky interior matt, £47.50 for 2.5ltr, M&L Paint BEST FOR MAKING A STATEMENT Bancha estate emulsion, £47.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball BEST FOR ADDING RICHNESS Messel No 39 marble matt emulsion, £51 for 2.5ltr, Mylands…

STYLIST’S NOTE “Don’t rule out velvet just because you’ve got young kids, look for ‘Smart’ finishes or Aqua Clean velvet that prevent stains, but keep the luxe look”MICHELA COLLING, STYLE EDITOR…

Thorbjørn, lives in Copenhagen. THE PROPERTY  Extended three bedroom house in Northern Denmark, built in 1904. VALUE Around £1.5m. “The view from our house is amazing, overlooking sea on one side and forest on the other ” Take a quick tour... A summer holiday filled with art and culture convinced Henrietta Sharma Rubow and her husband Christian to move back to Denmark from their home of six years in Switzerland. ‘We’d been to The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art by the Øresund strait, which separates Sweden and Denmark,’ says Henrietta. ‘Then we explored the neighbourhood and discovered how beautiful it was.’ In 2001, they found a run-down three-bedroom house: ‘It had its own beach, a wonderful garden and forest on one side,’ says Henrietta, ‘but it needed a loving hand;…

DIANA CIVIL, INTERIOR STYLIST AND SET DESIGNER (DIANACIVIL.COM) Diana has been working and overseeing the style direction of many commercial companies for more than 25 years. She has been the trend advisor and stylist for Carpetright for 10 years. AMY JONES, OWNER AND INTERIOR DESIGNER AT GRETA-MAE INTERIOR DESIGN (GRETA-MAE.CO.UK) Amy has both residential and commercial clients in Wales, Shropshire, Cheshire and the West Midlands. Her style is all about creating an eclectic selection of antique and modern, injecting personality into a space. Greta-Mae launched its first homeware collection this month. DANIEL PRENDERGAST, DESIGN DIRECTOR AND OWNER OF THE RUG SELLER (THERUGSELLER. CO.UK) Daniel established The Rug Seller in 2000 and has grown the business into one of the largest online rug retailers in the UK, stocking thousands of floor…

THE PROPERTY A four-bedroom Victorian semi in Dulwich, south London. WHAT IT COST Units....................£28,191 Worktops.............£3,840 Appliances...........£7,835 Sink and tap..........£1,410 Floor......................£4,329 TOTAL...............£45,605 “It’s such a bright, tranquil room. Sitting by the window taking in the view or stepping out into the garden is a pleasure”…

1 DOUBLE-UP DESKS IN A SHARED SPACE Work out a desk arrangement that uses space most efficiently if you’re sharing an office, either side-by-side or desks positioned back-to-back are best. And invest in extra storage so there’s plenty for both of you, to ensure desks stay clear. 2 STACK UP STORAGE Open-sided crates make it easier to get your hands on any essentials inside. This metal crate comes in a choice of pretty colours and can be arranged in a mini stack under a desk or as a taller freestanding one. 3 UTILISE A KITCHEN WORKTOP Supplement desk space if you have several people working from home at the same time. An empty run of worktop or a breakfast bar in the kitchen makes a great family hub. 4 SQUEEZE…

5 GAME-CHANGING BUYS The products you need to tackle a timely tidy-up or tame an out-of-control collection 1 THE SKINNY SHOE CABINET High-traffic hallways can get easily overrun with shoes and outdoor belongings. These slimline cabinets butt against a wall so are ideal for narrow spaces, with compartments that pull down (rather than outwards) so they won’t obstruct anyone passing through. Each cabinet holds up to 16 pairs. Hemnes two-compartment shoe cabinet, £90, Ikea 2 THE UNDERBED DRAWER If you’re squeezed for wardrobe space, divvy up summer sandals and winter shoes and stash away any out-of-season footwear. Measure underbed space before you buy – lower beds will need a shallow drawer – and choose drawers with lids so shoes don’t get dusty. Willow underbed lined storage, £60, John Lewis &…

Complete home system Home security mixed camera pack, £449 with Hub (£409 without Hub), Hive It doesn’t have a siren, but Hive will alert you via your phone if any area of your home is breached. The pack features indoor and outdoor cameras, door or window sensors, a motion sensor and a smart light bulb. THE BEST BIT If you already have a Hive heating thermostat, you can control both gadgets via the same app. Stylish starter pack Smart alarm system with camera, £319.99, Netatmo This five-piece set comes with three easy-to-install door or window sensors that will pick up any movement or vibration, subsequently alerting you via your smartphone. The indoor camera also uses facial recognition, notifying you if it doesn’t recognise a face. THE BEST BIT Choose between…

SERVES 12 READY IN 1 HR 10 MINS, PLUS CHILLING INGREDIENTS • 150g cold butter, cubed • 150g plain flour FOR THE FRANGIPANE FILLING • 100g butter, softened • 100g caster sugar • 2 large eggs • 100g ground almonds • ½tsp lemon extract (optional) • Grated zest of 1 lemon • Handful of frozen mixed berries YOU WILL NEED • 18cm loose-based fluted tart tin • Greaseproof paper and baking beans 1 Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. For the pastry, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in enough cold water to form a dough, around 1-2tbsp. Wrap in cling film and chill for 30 mins. 2 Roll out the pastry to the thickness of a 50p coin and line the tart tin. Trim the edges, prick the base, line with greaseproof paper and fill…

THE ORIGINAL This space may be missing pattern, but there is still plenty of statement being made with the strong but simple shapes of the furniture and accessories. The pelmet and pleats, curved, lacquered sideboard and sugary palette all echo elements of 1940s Hollywood glamour that found its way across the pond. THE UPDATE The colour pairing of powder blue and rose quartz has made a comeback this year and these pastel tones have become synonymous with a soft but chic look. Curves, scalloped edges, ribbed finishes and clean, sculpted shapes, teamed with polished brass accents, have all been re-worked into a modern glam style for today.…

SWAP YOUR DOOR FRONTS Got an Ikea kitchen? Still have the original plans? Noremax makes bespoke door fronts for Ikea Metod and Faktum kitchen carcasses in a wide range of colours and styles, perfect for giving your cabinetry a stylish refresh. CHANGE YOUR TAP Switch your standard chrome kitchen tap for a sleek and sexy matt black version for an instant upgrade. It would look perfect in a monochrome kitchen, add depth to a plain scheme or create a sharp contrast in a colourful space. INSTALL FOCUSED LIGHTING Updating your lighting is relatively simple and will give your kitchen a whole new look. Use the interior designer trick of always going for an odd number (we love the rule of three) when hanging pendants over a dining table or kitchen…

Swap pale oak feet for copper or nickel ULTIMATE GLAMOUR Jonathan Adler Bacharach swivel chair in Champagne, £2,750, Sweetpea & Willow MID-CENTURY STYLE Betsy armchair in Cumin Mohair, £1,595, Soho Home ELEGANT ANGLES Auzera armchair in Plum & Brass, £529, Swoon NATURAL RATTAN Eichholtz Lauriston chair, £1,540, Sweetpea & Willow SWEET SCALLOPS Bethan Gray feathered occasional chair in Nude, £798, Anthropologie I also come in blue/green and grey COSY TEXTURE Calvin armchair in Moroccan printed cotton, £449, Atkin and Thyme STEEL BASE Broste Copenhagen Ocean swivel armchair, £1,095, Cuckooland PANEL DETAILING Sofia velvet & chenille armchair in Blue, £395, Oliver Bonas MATCHING CUSHION Jackson leather armchair, £189.99, Homescapes…

STYLIST’S NOTE “A statement yellow chair makes a mono scheme feel more inviting ” STEPHANIE DURRANT, SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR GRAPHIC LINES Angelo marble and Black metal end table, £164, Maisons du Monde COLOUR SPLASH Audrey curved armchair, £595, Habitat MINIMAL STYLE Lene Bjerre Mariko floor lamp, £110, Sweetpea & Willow BOTANICAL FLOURISH Green eucalyptus artificial plant, £6.95, Homesense ARTISAN CURVES Textured White earthenware vase, £43.50, Beaumonde HIDDEN DRAWER Ralph extending dining table in oak and Charcoal, £549, Made SUBTLE STRIPE Villa Evanesce Grey rug, £49.99, Carpetright…

Kitchen ‘I was really happy with the kitchen I inherited here,’ says Anna. ‘It’s perfect for entertaining a crowd and practical day-to-day, too.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Try Infinity J-pull White cabinetry, around £250 for a 600mm base unit, Wren. Marno jute rug, £66, Maisons du Monde, is similar. Tolix-style Yellow metal stools, £59 each, Cult Furniture, would work RECESSED CUPBOARDS Give a streamlined, unobtrusive look Dining area ‘The dark blue walls give the dining space its own vibe, and make it feel separate from the rest of the room,’ says Anna. ‘I changed the down-lights over the table for pendants, to create a cosier feel.’ BUY THE KEY PIECES Stiffkey Blue modern emulsion, £49.95 for 2.5ltr, Farrow & Ball, is a comparable shade. Compton glass pendant light, £94.50, Jim…

Side by side Start by removing any handles. Clean the furniture and apply a multi-surface primer. Use wood paint on the door edges, cupboard fronts, side panels and top. Once dry, lightly sand, then apply a second coat. Attach new handles. GLAM ALTERNATIVE For a high-shine, lacquered sheen, go with gloss paint instead…

Mix in objects Don’t be afraid to mix photos and drawings with personal keepsakes. Make sure the outside edges form a uniform square or rectangle, then fill the space with your pieces. Use paper templates to mock up your gallery wall before securing frames in place Echo your décor Pick a colour scheme for prints and artwork that replicates your decorating scheme. This safari-inspired gallery complements the earthy tones used in the room. Give one, larger print hero status and then frame it with smaller prints Wrap around a corner Don’t stop at a single gallery wall – continue right up to the corner and onto the adjacent wall for an immersive effect. Try hanging artwork from the floor to the ceiling for a dramatic look Work your shapes Make…

STYLIST’S NOTE “Keep accessories to a minimum and let artwork be the focal point with bold monochrome prints hung gallery-style”LISA FAZZANI , ACTING FEATURES EDITOR…

Bring nature home Fix wire grids or fine metal trellis to the wall and attach planters to the lower edge. Fill the pots with trailing plants and gently train the stems to weave around the grid, holding in place with bulldog clips. Trim with garden scissors to keep the display looking neat.…

IDEAL PICK TAPS IN ON-TREND MATT BLACK GREAT DEAL…

Plywood is durable and hard-wearing. Plus, as it is manufactured with minimal chemicals, compared to materials such as MDF or chipboard, there is little-to-no ‘off-gassing’, making it a more sustainable option, too. Q What is plywood? Formed from thin, compacted layers of wood, modern plywood is lightweight, yet strong. The secret to its strength comes from cross-lamination, whereby the grain direction of each layer is alternated. Q Which wood is best? For interior furniture, hardwood-based ply is best. Birch-faced ply is the most popular and has a natural pale finish that suits a Scandi vibe. You can also get oak and walnut-faced for a darker finish. Douglas fir, though technically a softwood, has a very tight grain with few knots making it a practical choice in kitchens, too. Bamboo plywood…

Nicola Crawford lives here with her husband James and eight-month-old son Harry. THE PROPERTY A five-bed Victorian terrace in London. WHAT IT COST Basin and vanity unit.......................£2,500 Loo...........................£550 Tiles......................£4,000 Bath.........................£650 Pendant lights........£300 Shower screen.......£400 Shower set..............£400 Heated towel rail....£200 Taps.......................£1,500 TOTAL................£10,500 “We’ve got a grown-up space with a spa-like feel. When we walk in here we instantly relax”…

Bundy Boase lives here with her husband Alex and their daughters Elfie, eight, and Minna, six. Bundy is a professional declutterer (find her at pleaseorganise.me) and Alex is a business consultant. THE PROPERTY  A four-bedroom terraced Victorian property in southeast London. THE VALUE  Bought for £620,000 in 2013; now worth £1.1m. WHAT IT COST Windows and doors..................£14,150 Electrics.............£8,500 Plumbing............£7,800 Kitchen and joinery................£9,000 Glazing.............. £5,500 TOTAL.............£44,950 “It complements the house. The extension blends in rather than being a showy architectural piece”…

I’m magnetic, use me as a memo board, too…

FACTOR IN EXTRA STORAGE Shoes take up far more space than people think, but often get left as an afterthought. So, if buying new wardrobes or having them built, always consider where you’re going to store your shoes. Adjustable shelving is ideal and can be arranged at different heights, so space isn’t wasted. WORK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE Use cupboard space efficiently – slot-in racks or cubbies will utilise wasted space at the bottom. Ensure long items of clothing are pulled to one side so shoes are more visible and store special occasion or out-of-season shoes at the back, with those you wear day-to-day at the front. DON’T PICK STYLE OVER SUBSTANCE Something might look good, but is it practical or big enough? Simple bookcase-style designs with flat shelves always…

Keralan-style prawn curry SERVES 6 READY IN 40 mins INGREDIENTS FOR THE PASTE • 200g shallots, sliced • 1tbsp sunflower oil • 4 garlic cloves, sliced • 30g fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped • 1-2 green chillies, sliced (seeds optional) • 1tsp turmeric • Small bunch fresh coriander, stalks only (reserve the leaves) FOR THE CURRY • 1tbsp sunflower oil • 6-8 curry leaves, fresh or dried • 200ml vegetable stock • 600ml coconut milk • 300g green beans, trimmed and cut into short pieces • 400g large raw peeled prawns 1 To make the paste, fry the shallots in the oil for 5 mins until softened, but not coloured. Transfer the shallots to a blender with the remaining ingredients. Blend to a coarse paste. 2 For the curry, heat the oil in a large non-stick pan. Add the curry leaves…

SERVES 2 READY IN 20 MINS INGREDIENTS • 15g butter • 3 garlic cloves, crushed • 30g panko breadcrumbs • Crushed zest of ¼ lemon • 200g fresh pappardelle pasta • 200ml dry Riesling wine (try one from the Alsace region) • 125ml single cream • 150g raw king prawns, tails on • 7g dill, fronds only 1 Heat two-thirds of the butter in a non-stick frying pan and add 1tsp crushed garlic. Soften until fragrant, then add the breadcrumbs and cook until golden. Stir in the lemon zest, season and set aside. 2 Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta according to the pack instructions. 3 Melt the remaining butter in a frying pan, add the remaining garlic and cook until soft, then pour in the wine. Reduce by a third,…

Aside from the daily walks and socially distanced supermarket dashes, we’ve all been staring at the same four walls for months. If you’ve become bored of what you see, this booklet will provide you with a hefty helping of inspiration on what to do to change up your home’s look, quickly and easily. From clever paint tricks and wallpaper ideas to cool colour combos and jolly pick-me-up buys, there are plenty of tips to help you make your home your favourite place to be. GINEVRA BENEDETTI SUPPLEMENT EDITOR, EASY STYLE UPDATES FOR EVERY ROOM…

TRANSFORM YOUR SPACE WITH A MOODY MURAL Want your bedroom to ooze a stylish vibe? A wall mural is the way to go. They’re super easy to hang with adhesive-back versions available, too. Paint the adjacent walls in tonal shades for a cocooning feel. SQUEEZE IN A MONOCHROME TOUCH Baskets are the ultimate accessory and this simple design from Habitat would happily slot into pretty much any scheme. Pop in a planter, fill it with towels, round up your remote controls… the possibilities are endless. UPCYCLE A FENCE PANEL Slatted fence panels are a quick and easy way to create a striking headboard. All you need to do is cut the panel to size, then sand it to remove any rough edges, before painting it in your chosen shade. Apply…

CHOOSE STATEMENT LIGHTING This multi-arm light brings a luxe lift to this simple space. Provided the ceiling is fairly high and the light fitting is away from splash areas, you aren’t limited by bathroom-specific lighting, but do check with an electrician. OPT FOR UNUSUAL BRASSWARE Make a statement with a coloured tap. Zone in on a tone from your tiles, then select towels and accessories to match, and build up the colour scheme from there for a completely coordinated look. LAY PATTERNED FLOORING With all the white sanitaryware, bathrooms tend to look quite sterile. Consider laying vinyl flooring to bring in some warmth. A great choice for a family bathroom, this design is reminiscent of Victorian tiles, but as it’s vinyl, it’s cheaper and much easier to lay. ADD SOME…

CREATE A DRAMATIC CONTRAST Dark walls and floors in a hallway make for a rich, atmospheric entrance and will make the rooms leading off it appear brighter. Go for deep charcoal shades as they’re warmer than harsher black hues. SQUEEZE IN A NARROW CONSOLE If you are short on space in the hallway, look for slimline furniture that won’t take up too much room. This Ikea cabinet is a good size with enough space to store shoes, hats and scarves. Plus, it has a handy mirror and a built-in tray on top for your keys and wallet. HIDE CLUTTER IN BASKETS The ultimate clutter busters, baskets are a must for a smart and tidy hallway. They’re the perfect spot to chuck winter gloves and scarves as you come in the…

A  Annie Sloan 01865 803168 anniesloan.com Argos 0345 640 2020 argos.co.uk B  Barker and Stonehouse 0333 920 1119 barkerandstonehouse.co.uk BC Designs 01206 827100 bcdesigns.co.uk Blinds 2go 0800 862 0464 blinds-2go.co.uk C  Carpetright 0330 333 3444 carpetright.co.uk Curtains 2go 0800 862 0463 curtains-2go.co.uk D  Dowsing & Reynolds dowsingandreynolds.com Dulux 0333 222 7171 dulux.co.uk Dunelm dunelm.com F  Farrow & Ball 01202 876141 farrow-ball.com Furniture Village 0800 804 8879 furniturevillage.co.uk G  Gemini Tiles geminitiles.co.uk H  Habitat 0344 499 1122 habitat.co.uk I  Ikea 020 3645 0000 ikea.co.uk J  John Lewis & Partners 0345 604 9049 johnlewis.com L  Lime Lace 01423 900522 limelace.co.uk Little Greene 0845 880 5855 littlegreene.com Loaf 0345 468 0697 loaf.com M  Made 0344 257 1888 made.com Magnet 0845 123 6789 magnet.co.uk Maisons du Monde 0808 234 2172 maisonsdumonde.com Morsø 01788 554410…